"Efficiency is a red herring, and many devices (thermoelectric generators in particular) become more useful the less efficient they get."
I don't understand this part. How does a thermoelectric generator become more useful with less efficiency?
I don't understand this part. How does a thermoelectric generator become more useful with less efficiency?
You get no power when those things are minimized, and in fact you want them both as high as possible.
It's primary application being for spacecraft since it can have a decent power output for a very long time, which is what's typically required from a long standing mission.